Prediction

Match Preview

Newcastle coach Ernie Merrick insists that revenge will not be on his team’s mind as they prepare for a blockbuster showdown with Victory on Saturday night in front of their home fans.

After putting together an extraordinary resurgence from wooden spooners to Grand Finalists in 2017/18, the Jets dream fairytale suffered a crushing blow as Victory secured a 1-0 win through a goal that should have been disallowed for offside - but the VAR, which has been under immense scrutiny over the first two rounds of the season, apparently wasn’t working during the time the goal was scored.

Jets fans are still furious over the explanation from the FFA and losing the final under those circumstances, but Merrick says everyone needs to leave it in the past as they attempt to win their first game of the season after a 2-1 loss to Wellington and a 1-1 draw with Adelaide.

"It's not a revenge game, it's about taking three points in every match and getting into the finals and taking it from there. I'm not big on this emotional revenge stuff. With the Grand Final last year, you have to accept it. A team wins and a team loses and you can't dwell on it. You move on and aim to be in the finals and correct that in the Finals."

Meanwhile, Victory are also winless over the first two rounds of the new season, suffering from some VAR controversy of their own in a 2-1 derby defeat to Melbourne City before going down in the last minute to Perth Glory 3-2 last week.

It’s somewhat expected that Victory would start the season flat after their stunning and unlikely run to the premiership last season, but Kevin Muscat will want to start winning soon and not leave too much of a gap to chase the top sides.

Victory have lost just two of their last nine games against the Jets, but both of them did come last season before the Grand Final. Newcastle have also been flat over the first two games, but they were better against Adelaide last week and have got to be buoyed as they play their first home game of the campaign. I’m going to tip the Jets to secure their first win of the season.

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